DBcoil IL (Trunnion Mount) Complete 100 Hour Service Instructions

Mar 2022 orig., Jun 2024 rev.

Recommendations and Warnings

Cane Creek recommends only trained suspension technicians perform service on all suspension, using all required tools and following all proper procedures. Anyone without access to the proper equipment or with any concerns on the procedures should defer to an authorized Cane Creek service center for service. Improper service can result in loss of performance or suspension failure.

All Cane Creek shocks have pressurized nitrogen and oil, even coil shocks. Follow the service procedures exactly as written to avoid possible injury or harm to the suspension. Always wear eye protection while performing suspension service.

Please dispose of all waste products and materials through proper channels to avoid contamination of the environment.

Any damage or issues resulting from improper service will not be covered by warranty. If you have a shock still in its original warranty period and do not wish to void your warranty, please contact an authorized Cane Creek service center.

These service instructions cover the basic service procedures using standard service kits. If your suspension requires parts beyond standard replacement parts – shaft, damper tubes, end eyes – please consult your authorized Cane Creek service center or contact us at our Cane Creek Support Center.

Service Notes

The Air IL and Coil IL as well as the Standard and Trunnion variants of both share many service steps. Some images in these instructions may not be identical to the the valve body or outer damper tube on the Coil IL Trunnion, but that is only when the process is the same for the shock in the image and the shock on your bench.

Service Kits

BAD2370T – DBcoil IL Rebuild Kit (Trunnion)

Required Cane Creek Tools

BAD1032 – Gland Nut Wrench
BAD1174 – Oil Seal Head Pin Spanner Wrench
BAD1268 – Inline – Oil Fill Needle Adaptor
DBT016 – DB Gas Fill Needle
AAD0555 – 8mm & 9.5mm Shaft Clamp
AAD1454 – Kitsuma/IL Trunnion CS Bullet
BAD1273 – Inner Damper Tube Install Tool

Additional Tools & Supplies

Allen wrenches – 1.5, 3 & 4mm

Torx wrenches – T10, T15 & T25

1/2″ crowfoot wrench

Torque wrenches

Pick

Suspension Grease

Motorex 4wt Racing Fork Oil

Vacuum Oil Fill Machine
Nitrogen Fill System

Torque, Loctite, Oil & Nitrogen Specs

Torque & Loctite Chart

Part	Torque Spec	Loctite Spec
Shaft Bolt	5 Nm	243 (Blue)
TSN	0.6 Nm	668 (Green)
Climb Switch Set Screws	0.2 Nm	243 (Blue)
Inner Damper Tube	17 Nm	263 (Red)
Oil Seal Head	15 Nm	None
Gland Nut	52 Nm	243 (Blue)
Climb Switch Screw	0.16 Nm	243 (Blue)
End Eye	8 Nm	263 (Red)

Oil Chart

Oil Location	Oil Type	Oil Amount
Damper Fill	Motorex 4wt Racing Fork Oil	Fill to 3 Bars

Nitrogen Chart

Nitrogen Location	Nitrogen Pressure
Valve Body	11-12 Bars

Related Technical Service Bulletins

Review all related TSBs before performing any service.

No Coil IL Trunnion specific TSBs at this time.

General Prep

Clean shock. Record tune if desired. Remove hardware. Remove bushings if replacing. Unthread spring preload. Remove spring clip. Remove spring. Note and remove any stroke reduction clips.

Damper Disassembly

Step 1 – Gas & Oil Removal

***Use caution as nitrogen is pressurized.***

Bleed gas with gas fill needle. Remove oil fill screw with T15. Remove slowly as there may be aerated oil behind fill screw. Empty oil through fill screw by cycling the damper.

Step 2 – Oil Seal Head & Shaft Assembly Removal

Clamp valve body in vise. Use Oil Seal Head Pin Spanner (BAD1174) to remove oil seal head. Remove shaft assembly from damper body. Pour out any remaining oil from damper body.

Step 3 – Outer Damper Tube Removal

Remove outer damper tube by pulling up. Unthread preload nut.

Step 4 – Inner Damper Tube Removal

Using Inner Damper Tool Wrench (BAD1273), remove inner damper from valve body. Inspect interior of inner damper tube for piston band wear. Inspect damper tube threads and remove any remaining Loctite with pick. Clean thoroughly. Replace inner damper tube if necessary. Remove valve body o-ring and discard.

Step 5 – Gland Nut & Bladder Removal

Using T10, remove Climb Switch lever screw. Remove CS lever. Reclamp valve body in vise. Using Gland Nut Wrench, remove gland nut. Breaker bar may be required. Pry off gland cover. Remove bladder with pick and discard.

Always use extreme caution when using a pick in this step or others to avoid scratching metal parts. Failure to do this can create scratches in the o-ring glands which cause leak paths for oil or gas. When possible, pinch and remove o-rings rather than using a pick.

Step 6 – CS Spool Valve Removal

Using a 1.5mm Allen, remove 2 set screws located inside of valve body next to inner damper tube purchase. Remove remaining set screw in valve body exposing spring and detent ball. Remove spring and detent ball. Using CS lever, unthread spool valve and remove. Pinch & remove and discard spool valve o-ring.

Step 7 – High Speed Adjusters Removal

Using 3mm Allen, dial High Speed adjusters in to gain access to High Speed circlips.
Remove circlips. Back High Speed adjusters all the way out. Pinch & remove and discard o-rings on adjusters.

Note that the Compression spring is 20wt (silver), rebound is 30wt (black).

Step 8 – Low Speed Adjusters Removal

Gently bottom out Low Speed adjuster needles with 3mm Allen. Using a sharp blade, work circlips below retaining shelf all the way to needles. Back needles out 5-7 clicks and then rebottom needles to gain access to circlips. Using pick centered on circlips, pry up diagonally to pull circlips past shelf and remove. Unthread and remove needles. Remove and discard o-rings.

TSN Disassembly (if desired)

TSN service is not required as part of a standard IL service. However, if the shock exhibits any audible sounds, usually a “chirp”, during use, this could be related to a bent TSN spring. No additional parts are required to do the TSN service.

Step 1 – TSN Removal

Remove TSN stem from valve body using T15 from both High Speed valves. Clean valve body TSN threads with tap if green Loctite has built up on threads

Step 2 – TSN Disassembly

Disassemble TSN assembly by unthreading spring from the TSN stem. Remove TSN shim, piston and poppet.

Step 3 – TSN Inspection

Inspect spring for possible bent end of spring tail which can cause valve chirp. (Correcting bent spring covered in TSN Reassembly.)

Shaft Disassembly

Step 1 – End Eye Removal

Clamp shaft assembly into vise using shaft clamp (AAD0555) with end eye up. Remove end eye from shaft with 1/2″ crows foot. Apply heat gun if end eye is stuck

Step 2 – Shaft Assembly Disassembly

Flip shaft in clamp. Remove shaft bolt with T25. Remove piston, shims and stop washer, noting orientation.

Step 3 – Shim & Piston Inspection

Check face shim for port wear and flip on reinstall if necessary. Check ports on piston for excessive wear. If present, resurfacing or replacement of piston may be necessary. Carefully cut piston band off piston. Pinch & remove piston o-ring.

Step 4 – Final Disassembly

Remove bottom out bumper, oil seal head and top out bumper. Discard oil seal head only.

Shaft Reassembly

Step 1 – Piston Reassembly

Install new piston o-ring (AAD0800) and piston band (AAD0469) on piston.

Step 2 – Piston and Shim Stack Install

Reassemble shim stack, flipping face shim if necessary, and reinstall stop washer, shim stack and piston on shaft. Add one drop of blue Loctite (243) on the shaft threads. Install shaft bolt with T25. Torque to 5 Nm.

When installing the piston bolt, keep downward pressure on the piston with your other hand to prevent any Loctite from getting between the piston and face shim.

Step 3 – Top Out Bumper & Oil Seal Head Install

Grease the bushing and quad ring of oil seal head. If available, slide shaft cover (.DBT010 – discontinued) on shaft to cover threads only. Trim shaft cover to length if necessary. If cover not available, you can use tape to cover threads or simply take care installing seal head. Install new (AAD1090) top out bumper and new oil seal head (AAD1738). Remove any shaft thread covering.

TSN Reassembly (if required)

Step 1 – TSN Springs, Pistons & Poppets Prep

If TSN spring tail is bent, trim the spring to remove damaged end. Surface piston and poppet if necessary using a surfacing block or high grit sandpaper.

Step 2 – Rebound TSN Reassembly

Rebound TSN stem has a small bleed port. Reinstall poppet, piston, and shim, noting the correct orientation for rebound: On piston, small ports face poppet; large ports face shim. Thread spring onto stem.

TSB010 – DB COIL IL Rebound piston orientation

Step 3 – Compression TSN Reassembly

Compression TSN stem has no bleed port. Reinstall poppet, piston, and shim, noting the correct orientation for compression: On piston, large ports face poppet; small ports face shim. Thread spring onto stem.

Step 4 – TSNs into Valve Body Install

With a straight pick apply a small amount of green Loctite (668) to TSN threads in valve body. Install TSNs ensuring the correct TSN is installed on the correct side of valve body. Torque to 0.6 Nm with T15.

Damper Reassembly

Step 1 – Prepping Low Speed Needles

Lightly grease and install o-ring (.DB11102) on Low Speed needles. Apply a small amount of grease on the needle hole and reinstall spring and detent balls (ball-spring-ball).

Step 2 – Low Speed Needles Install

Press, then thread needle into Low Speed control on valve body. Thread past circlip shelf. Confirm presence of detent clicks at this point. Install circlip into groove. Back needle out gently to ensure proper seatment of circlip.

Step 3 – High Speed Adjusters Prep

Install lightly greased o-rings (AAD0478) onto adjusters.

Step 4 – High Speed Rebound Adjuster Install

Thread High Speed adjuster with 30wt (black) spring into Rebound valve. Be sure to thread past circlip shelf. Install circlip (AAD0947). Back adjuster out gently to ensure proper seatment of circlip.

Step 5 – High Speed Compression Adjuster Install

Thread High Speed adjuster with 20wt (silver) spring into Compression valve. Be sure to thread past circlip shelf. Install circlip (AAD0947). Back adjuster out gently to ensure proper seatment of circlip.

Step 6 – Spool Valve Install

Lightly grease and install o-ring (AAD2579) on spool valve using CS Bullet tool (AAD1454). Install spool valve into valve body using the CS Lever. Bottom out spool valve, then back out approximately one full rotation to have spool valve to a 3:30 position.

Step 7 – Climb Switch Set Screws Install

Apply blue Loctite (243) to the three CS set screws. Reinstall 2 CS set screws into bottom of valve body. Note approach angle. Torque to 0.2 Nm using 1.5mm Allen. Install lightly greased detent and spring into threaded detent capture hole on top of valve body. Reinstall remaining CS set screw to capture detent and spring. Torque to 0.2 Nm using 1.5mm Allen. Test CS function. If binding, back off set screw half turn.

Step 8 – Valve Body O-ring & Bladder Install

Lightly grease and install o-ring (AAD0955) on valve body. Ensure o-ring is fully seated in groove. Gently work dry bladder (AAD2468) onto valve body groove. Ensure it is seated all the way around.

Step 9 – Gland Cover Install

Apply grease to entire bladder surface, focusing on edges where gland cover will contact. Place gland cover on bladder. Install gland nut using an inch feed of blue Loctite (243). Set correct gland cover orientation and allow gland nut to self seat cover. Clamp valve body in vise. Hand thread gland nut tight. Using Gland Nut Wrench torque gland nut to 52 Nm.

Step 10 – Inner Damper Tube Install

Ensure all old Loctite is removed from inner damper tube. Apply fresh red Loctite (263) to threads. Flip valve body in vise. Thread inner damper tube into valve body. Using inner damper tube wrench, torque to 17 Nm.

Step 11 – Outer Damper Tube Install

Apply thin layer of shock oil to outer damper tube. Press and rotate outer damper tube into valve body until seated on o-ring.

Step 12 – Shaft Assembly Install

Apply thin layer of shock oil to piston band on shaft assembly. Use piston to apply layer of shock oil to inner surface of outer damper tube. Insert shaft assembly into inner damper tube, threading oil seal head into outer damper tube. Using Oil Seal Head Wrench, tighten oil seal head to 15 Nm. Ensure all three pins are properly seated and even pressure is applied to tool to prevent damaging tool pins. Reinstall preload collar on outer damper tube.

Step 13 – Climb Switch Install

Place Climb Switch on spool valve. Apply blue Loctite (243) to Climb Switch screw. Install Climb Switch screw. Torque to 1.2 NM with T10.

Step 14 – Shaft End Eye Install

Reinstall bottom out bumper on shaft. Apply red Loctite (263) to shaft and end eye. Finger tight end eye onto shaft. Work Loctite air bubbles out of end eye by going to full bottom and backing off multiple times. Clamp shaft into vise using shaft clamp. Using 1/2″ crows foot, torque end eye to 8 Nm.

Damper Fill

Step 1 – Fill Prep

Install new o-ring (AAD0532) on fill plug screw. Secure shock in horizontal position with fill port facing up. Back all adjusters to fully open and open Climb Switch. Thread Inline oil fill adaptor (BAD1268) into fill port. Fully compress damper. Attach oil fill machine per your manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 2 – Vacuum and Oil Fill Process

Vacuum system to (4) mbar. Pressure with Oil to (3) bar. Slowly cycle shaft finishing with shaft fully out. Cut fill and equalize pressure. Vacuum system to (4) mbar, leaving shaft out. Pressure again with Oil to (3) bar. Slowly cycle shaft finishing with shaft fully out. Cut fill.

Step 3 – Valve Body Closure

Leaving horizontal, disconnect fill machine. Unthread fill needle. Drip some oil on to top of fill. Install oil fill screw with T15.

Step 4 – Nitrogen Fill

Insert gas fill needle (DBT016) and pressurize to 11-12 bars of nitrogen. Compress shaft and ensure proper gas by observing shaft return to full extension. Submerge valve body in water to check for gas leaks.

Final Testing and Set Up

Step 1 – Dyno Testing

Set adjusters to factory neutral: HSC & HSR 2.5 turns from full bottom (or 2 turns from full open); LSC 11 clicks from full bottom; LSR 13 from full bottom. Using hand dyno, test shock for function. Ensure Climb Switch engages and operates properly. Turn individual adjusters to test each one. Set back to original tune if desired.

If mechanical dyno equipment is available, run shock on dyno at this point.

Step 2 – Spring Reinstall

Reinstall any stroke reducer clips as needed below bottom out bumper. Reinstall spring and spring clip. Install all necessary bushings and hardware.